Upper Gwynedd man admits role in Montgomery County meth organization

COURTHOUSE — An Upper Gwynedd man has admitted to his role in a methamphetamine trafficking organization which allegedly operated in Montgomery and Philadelphia counties.

Francesco “Frank” Messina, 43, of the 600 block of Garfield Avenue, pleaded guilty in Montgomery County Court on Monday to charges of corrupt organizations, possession with intent to deliver methamphetamine and conspiracy in connection with incidents that occurred between December 2011 and March 2012.

Specifically, Messina admitted to directly delivering more than two grams of meth to an undercover detective on two occasions – for which he potentially faces two, one-year mandatory sentences - and to being involved in the delivery, conducted by some of his alleged co-defendants, of another five grams of the drug – for which he potentially faces a three-year mandatory sentence.

Judge Thomas G. Gavin, a visiting senior judge from Chester County, deferred sentencing so that court officials can complete a background investigative report about Messina, who at the time of his arrest resided in the 700 block of Schwab Road in Hatfield. Messina, who at the time of his arrest worked at a Lansdale area auto-body shop, remains free on bail pending sentencing.

“What he has admitted to is his role in the methamphetamine distribution ring that was taken down over the winter of this past year,” Whalley said. “He was one of our main targets.”

Messina was one of 32 people, many of whom lived in Hatfield, Schwenksville, Lansdale, Gilbertsville, Phoenixville, Royersford, Lower Providence, Limerick, North Wales, Blue Bell and Philadelphia, who were charged in connection with their alleged roles in the operation as distributors, users or pushers of the expensive drug.

“This case was filled with dealers and users, so people who were dealing it were also using it and considering this type of drug, that can be a dangerous combination,” Whalley alleged.

Defense lawyer Sean Cullen indicated he will argue that any mandatory prison terms against Messina be imposed concurrently as opposed to consecutively.

“He was always willing to accept responsibility for what he had done and I think it’s an opportunity for him to start to put these things behind him,” Cullen said.

Cullen maintained Messina should not be characterized as a major drug dealer.

“I think he was a victim of his own addiction,” Cullen said. “At some point the addiction takes over, you lose the ability to fund your own addiction, and then it becomes a matter of selling or trading in order to cover your own habit.”

“There were no extravagant lifestyles here,” Cullen added. “It was all one course of conduct. We’re going to ask the judge for concurrent sentences.”

At the time of the arrests in May, county District Attorney Risa Vetri Ferman said the investigation of the organization began after she received an anonymous tip in the mail. Ferman turned the letter over to the county’s Narcotics Enforcement Team, which launched an investigation.

Members of the NET agency worked closely with police in Souderton, Lansdale, Hatfield, Lower Providence and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency branch in Philadelphia to gather enough evidence to obtain state Superior Court approval for wiretaps on the cell phones of Messina and Troy Dudas, of the 100 block of Mine Run Road, Limerick, another alleged target of the investigation, between February 8 and 29, according to court papers.

Among the other targets were brothers Jeffrey and David Penna who used and distributed methamphetamine from Jeffrey Penna’s residence in the 1200 block of Cabin Road in Hatfield Township, authorities alleged. David Penna resided in the 1800 block of Valley Forge Road in Lansdale, according to court documents.

The investigation also revealed links to a Philadelphia methamphetamine distribution ring, according to court documents.

Many of the others are still awaiting court action on the charges.

The investigation did not uncover a methamphetamine manufacturing facility in the county.

The wiretap interceptions resulted in 14 searches of properties throughout Montgomery and Philadelphia counties. During the searches authorities seized quantities of methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia, and less than a dozen firearms, prosecutors alleged. While large quantities of the drug were not confiscated during the investigation, authorities said the dismantling of the organization is still very “significant.”

Assistant District Attorney Tonya Lupinacci, a co-prosecutor in the case, previously said the drug is “very expensive” and has a street value of about $500 a gram.